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AB-1215 Pets Assistance With Support Grant Program: homeless shelters: domestic violence shelters: pets.(2023-2024)

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Date Published: 09/18/2023 09:00 PM
AB1215:v95#DOCUMENT

Enrolled  September 18, 2023
Passed  IN  Senate  September 13, 2023
Passed  IN  Assembly  September 13, 2023
Amended  IN  Senate  September 08, 2023
Amended  IN  Assembly  May 18, 2023
Amended  IN  Assembly  March 30, 2023

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 1215

Introduced by Assembly Member Wendy Carrillo

February 16, 2023

An act to add Chapter 3.6 (commencing with Section 50535) to Part 2 of Division 31 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to housing.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1215, Wendy Carrillo. Pets Assistance With Support Grant Program: homeless shelters: domestic violence shelters: pets.
Existing law establishes the Department of Housing and Community Development in the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency and makes the department responsible for administering various housing programs throughout the state, including, among others, the Multifamily Housing Program, the Housing for a Healthy California Program, and the California Emergency Solutions Grants Program.
This bill would require the department, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to develop and administer the Pets Assistance With Support Grant Program (PAWS), to award grants to qualified homeless shelters and qualified domestic violence shelters, as defined. The bill would require grant recipients to meet certain availability and service requirements as they relate to the pets of people experiencing homelessness and people escaping domestic violence. The bill would authorize the department to use up to 7% of the funds appropriated in the annual Budget Act for those purposes for its costs in administering the program.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(a) California is experiencing increased homelessness.
(b) According to estimates by the National Coalition for the Homeless, of the 3,500,000 Americans who are homeless, 5 to 10 percent have dogs or cats.
(c) Many shelters, motels, and assisted housing programs do not permit animals on their property, pushing potential recipients to live in cars, recreational vehicles, and tent camps.
(d) Shelters, motels, and other assisted housing programs are more likely to permit animals on their properties if animals are up to date on their vaccinations and flea and tick prevention medication.
(e) Being asked to abandon a pet is a major barrier to engaging homeless persons to use services and is emotionally draining to an already vulnerable population.
(f) Pets provide warmth, security, and companionship to many who sleep on the streets. Pets also provide a type of normality, as providing food and water for their pets helps some homeless persons connect with reality.
(g) Owners reunite with their pets only 15 percent of the time after surrendering a pet.
(h) By providing services for pets whose owners are without a home, or are escaping domestic violence, both ends of the leash would be getting needed assistance. More homeless people and other people in need would be inclined to obtain medical and living assistance, and the conditions for their pets would be improved.

SEC. 2.

 Chapter 3.6 (commencing with Section 50535) is added to Part 2 of Division 31 of the Health and Safety Code, to read:
CHAPTER  3.6. Pets Assistance With Support Grant Program

50535.
 This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Pets Assistance With Support Grant Program.

50536.
 (a) Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department shall develop and administer a program to award grants to qualified homeless shelters and qualified domestic violence shelters for the provision of shelter, food, and veterinary services for pets owned by people experiencing homelessness or escaping domestic violence.
(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) “Pet” means a “common household pet” as that term is defined in Section 50466.
(2) “Qualified domestic violence shelter” means a shelter serving individuals seeking to escape “domestic violence” as that term is defined in Section 6211 of the Family Code and meeting all of the conditions of subdivision (c).
(3) “Qualified homeless shelter” means a shelter serving homeless individuals that meets all of the conditions of subdivision (c).
(c) A qualified homeless shelter or qualified domestic violence shelter shall meet all of the following conditions:
(1) Have rules of conduct and responsibility regarding pets and their owners.
(2) Provide beds, crates, or kenneling either near bunks or onsite in a separate area.
(3) Provide food for both participants and their pets.
(4) Provide leashes, collars, harnesses, and vests for pets.
(5) Provide essential hygiene products, including, but not limited to, flea and tick prevention medication for pets.
(6) Offer the services of a veterinarian, including, but not limited to, spaying and neutering services and prescription and over-the-counter medication.
(d) The department may use up to 7 percent of the funds appropriated in the annual Budget Act for the purposes of this section for its costs in administering the program authorized by this section.